Mobil Service Station deadly bombing: 4 Venezuelans, 3 Guyanese slapped with terrorism charges

– to make court appearance today

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has instituted terrorism charges against seven of the nine suspects who were taken into custody for the deadly bombing at the Mobil Service Station, Regent and King Streets, Georgetown, on Sunday, October 26, 2025.

The charges were recommended by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Tuesday after the detectives sought legal advice on the way forward. Among the seven persons are three Guyanese and four Venezuelans. The Guyanese are 44-year-old Wayne Corriea, 51-year-old Ramesh Pramdeo and 33-year-old Krystal LaCruz. Among the Venezuelans is the prime suspect, 33-year-old Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo, who admitted to committing the crime after he was arrested last week. The others are 33-year-old Jennifer Rodriguez, 27-year-old Johnny Boodram and 44-year-old Alexander Bettancourt.

The suspects are slated to make an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts today, where the terrorism charge will be jointly read to them. The Police have since assured the public that the investigation was conducted with professionalism, integrity and strict adherence to due process. “The Force remains committed to upholding the rule of law, protecting citizens and ensuring peace and public safety across the nation while expressing gratitude to the public and partner agencies for their continued cooperation and support in this matter,” the GPF added. Just two days ago, President Dr Irfaan Ali had assured the families of the victims of the tragic bombing that they will receive “swift justice” and that the Government will use “every available tool” to help them and those injured return to normalcy. This was the assurance given to the families during a meeting with the Head of State at State House, Main Street, Georgetown, where he also informed them that the GPF has been interrogating the suspect to determine the motives for the “horrific act”.

Late last week, the investigators retrieved images of the explosive device used in the bombing from the prime suspect, Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo’s mobile phone. In light of this new evidence, explosive experts were examining the images over the weekend to determine the type of explosive. Prior to that, CCTV footage confirmed that the prime suspect and one of his accomplices arrived at the scene in a motor car, after which one of the men exited and reportedly scouted the area before the bomb was triggered by the suspect, who was seen carrying a black garbage bag. It was further reported that the suspect initially attempted to dispose of two black garbage bags in a bin. He was prevented from doing so by an attendant; so instead, he walks toward the western side of the fuel station, shortly after which a loud explosion was heard coming from the section where bottled cooking gas was stored. That explosion killed six-year-old Soraya Bourne and injured eight others, four of whom remain hospitalised, including two children.
One day after the Police issued a wanted bulletin for the suspect, the clothes suspected to have been worn by him were found at a location in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). The GPF soon after announced a reward of $5 million for any information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect wanted for the crime. He was on the said day apprehended at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), after the Police received a tip-off. During interrogation, Poedemo admitted that he and one of his accomplices arrived in Guyana illegally by boat hours before the terror attack. In a confession statement, he indicated that he had brought the bomb from Venezuela and activated it when he exited the vehicle on Sunday evening. It was also confirmed that the prime suspect is a member of a Sindicato gang named “Organisation R” in his home country. With investigations completed, the GPF will be pursuing the death penalty in accordance with Sections 309A and 309B of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01, which address acts of terrorism and conspiracy to commit terrorism.